Rockville, MD - The Dragons held a strong Montgomery Raptors team down with 40 minutes of great defense as Howard emerged victorious by the score of 68-59.

Howard jumped out to an early lead and kept it at a comfortable level until the Raptors went on a 9-0 run to take a 30-27 lead late in the first half. After a Dragon timeout, Shane Taylor (Ellicott City, MD/Centennial) and Jalen Bowie (Frederick, MD/Frederick) each hit solid mid-range jumpers to end the first half with a slim Howard lead.

The second half saw neither team showing any separation as Montgomery had the lead mid way through the second half. Kahleem Jennings (Severn, MD/Meade) found an open Koby Baptiste (New Carrollton, MD/Parkdale) for a hoop and harm layup to get Howard back ahead with Benjamin Murphy (Reisterstown, MD/Franklin) later providing assists to Andrew Mills (Owings Mills, MD/Newtown), Bowie and Baptiste in successive possessions to give the Dragons a three point lead.

Taylor came on in a big way in the second half, making the layup and one for a three point play followed by taking a charge. After another Baptiste tough layup, Marquis Freeman (Manassas, VA/Fork Union Prep) stole the ball away at the top of the key and drove down the court for a crowd pleasing monster slam to put the Dragons ahead 62-52. From there it was just a game of free throws that the Dragons were able to make enough of to put the game away for good.

The Dragons were led in scoring by Taylor for the first time this year, who put up 14 big points off the bench. Bowie added 13 points and Mills chipped in nine points and four blocks. Murphy and Baptiste played huge roles in the game, as Murphy scored 11 points with 11 rebounds and six assists while Baptiste scored 11 points with 14 rebounds and five assists. 

Howard will look to keep the winning streak moving along when they travel to CCBC Catonsville on Monday, February 13 at 7 PM.